NHTSA Complaint #11710396 — 2020 FORD EXPLORER

The 2nd row seat folding buttons have been malfunctioning for years and folding unexpectedly but Ford would simply say that it was user error causing it to stick. In June of 2025 I received a recall for the issue stating the buttons on the second row may bind or stick. The notice said the parts werent available and that I would be notified again by Ford when the parts came in to schedule a service appointment to complete the repairs free of charge. However, the notice was misleading because when the follow up notice came it stated "Following an inspection/replacement, dealers will ensure proper operation of the switch free of charge." When the dealer came to service the vehicle they inspected the buttons and said that they "looked fine" and offered to dust the buttons off. After they left, the seats continued to sporadically fold until finally one day I went to remove my daughter's car seat to a booster and the seat kept folding as I went back and forth to remove the old seat and install the new one. I was able to record a video of the seat folding repeatedly and reached back out to the dealership. The dealership came out did an inspection and took the parts from the vehicle. They claimed they would resubmit the issue to Ford to approve the parts under the recall and/or the manager was willing to pay out of pocket for them. Jordan Ford insisted removing the parts so that the seats wouldn't unexpectedly fold on my daughter. They didn't know if the issue was mechanical, electrical, or something else. It's now Jan/2026 and they are refusing to take my calls and to give me back my parts or even an estimate if I have to pay out of pocket instead of the wires being exposed without a cover. It's probably not a great idea to drive with the windows down or the sunroof. The condensation from humidity will and/or has gotten into the seats by now. There are other components like the seat warmer and air bag sensor near this. Safety Recall Notice 25S67 / NHTSA Recall 25V393